Forest and Bird have launched a campaign against taxpayer-owned Meridian Energy's proposal to dam the wild and scenic Mōkihinui River. "Forest & Bird was joined by MPs, including Chris Hipkins, Peter Dunne and Kevin Hague, and representatives of organisations representing kayakers, rafters and trampers, who also want the river to remain in its natural state." The campaign invites supporters of a natural, undammed Mokihinui to send an e-card to Meridian Energy (or via Facebook) opposing the scheme. Please join the campaign, and let your paddling buddies know about it.
The latest NZ Canoeing 10.3 has been sent to members, featuring Too precious to dam (Polly Miller), Lessons from Mangatepopo (Mick Hopkinson), Conservation News (Land and Water Forum, Hurunui River Moratorium, Mokihinui / Nevis / Mokau, Matiri) (Tony Ward-Holmes), Releases and Events and Highlights... (Toni George). Read more at NZ Canoeing 10.3 (PDF, 4.7Mb).
The 18th edition Whitewater NZ's Guide to the Whanganui River is now available with some changes to accommodation and branding. Available at DOC Centers near the river or order using our Order Form (PDF, 143KB). Whitewater NZ members receive a discount.
Cumec Issue 12 has been released for the Spring/Summer season. Focussed on adventure paddling the issue contains an interview with Kiwi Adventurer Mike Abbott, Andi Uhl writes about keeping the adventure going as you get 'Old & Crusty', Gordon Rayner writes about a family trip down the South Island's Clarence River, and we take a quick look at the Sickline 2010 event that saw Sam Sutton crowned World Champion. There are gear reviews for summer including the Immersion Research Comp LX drytop, Hydroscapes Full on Vest, and the must have vanity accessory for summer: a GoPro HD head camera. Available at bookstores and kayak-shops all over New Zealand & Australia or subscribe online to save over 30% on the cover price.
Environment Canterbury Commissioners have imposed a moratorium on resource consents to take, dam, divert or use water in the Waiau River catchment, saying “A moratorium would also allow due consideration to be given to the vision and principles of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy as set out in the Environment Canterbury Act."
Waiariki Academy of Sport, at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua are offering scholarships for their Kayak/Waka Squad 2011. Study at Waiariki, and train on the world-class rivers and lakes in Rotorua, New Zealand Technical training and coaching support. Sport science and medicine support provided by Academy of Sport team (NZ preferred providers).
The latest NZ Canoeing has been sent to members, featuring Conservation News (Rivers in the media, Hurunui River moratorium, Mokihinui River, Mokihinui Stockton film, Central Plains Water, Land and Water Forum, Nevis River Decision) (Tony Ward-Holmes), Respect to the Hutt Gorge @ 2.55m (Ruby Kopelov), Kiwi kayakers excel at home and overseas (Miriam Odlin), Releases and Events. Read more in NZ Canoeing 10.2 (PDF, 9.7Mb).
Some months ago the Otago conservancy of DOC released their proposed Mt Aspiring National Park Management Plan. It is due to be approved by the NZ Conservation Authority and assuming nothing surprising happens, Whitewater NZ has had a significant win by retaining aerial access to Bonar Flats on the Waiatoto River.
The Special Tribunal appointed to consider Fish & Game New Zealand's application to amend the Water Conservation (Kawarau) Order 1997 in respect of the Nevis River has recommended that the amendment be granted but the amendments confined to recognition of the outstanding value of the Gollum galaxiid.
The Green Party has launched a campaign to save the Mokihinui River and our other wild rivers. Send the Prime Minister an e-card and download the petition: http://www.greens.org.nz/mokihinui
Applications are now open for the 2010 Hillary Expedition grant administered by SPARC. $100,000 is available to support Hillary Expedition 2010 and this year SPARC are actively seeking applications from young and / or amateur adventurers. Applications close 5pm Friday 15 October 2010.
The Annual General Meeting for Whitewater NZ was held on Saturday 20 at the Arawa Clubrooms in Christchurch. The Annual Report for 2010 was accepted. Several Executive members stood down, so we thank Duncan Catanach, Glenn Murdoch, Michelle Wallace, Alan Bell, Anne Smith and Simon Callaghan for their superb work over many years.
The West Coast Whitewater Kayaking Survey 2010 is now live and Whitewater New Zealand encourages anyone who has paddled on the Coast to complete it. Andy England is doing the work as part of his Royal Society of New Zealand Teacher Fellowship. In brief:
Purely about whitewater kayaking/canoeing on the West Coast of NZ.
The biggest West Coast kayaking survey to date, designed to update the 1991-93 survey.
Will provide valuable data for decision making processes.
It’s online and will take you 20 mins if you haven’t done many rivers, up to an hour if you’ve done most West Coast rivers - you can leave it and come back to it
Live until 12 August.
Needs as many people as possible, so please complete the survey and encourage everyone else you know to participate.
CUMEC #11 is out, featuring Buller Festival 2010, Only in Africa, The Slalom Diaries, Quickfire: Wairoa Extreme Race, Interview: Jez Blanchard, Misadventure on the Bo Bo, plus the magazine is full of all the regular features like Video Technique with Wayne Johnson, river running technique with Zak Shaw, and paddling fit with Megan Foster.
[4 June] Commissioners have released their decision granting Central Plains Water consents for CPW to construct river intake structures and take water from the Rakaia and the Waimakariri. Following prolonged and exhaustive hearings, the consents have numerous conditions seeking to ensure safety of instream users, and to mitigate the effects of reduced flows on recreation. Update 23 June: Whitewater Canoe Club's Graeme Wilson summarises the impacts on kayakers arising from the conditions applied to the Central Plains Water resource consent.
The latest NZ Canoeing, Autumn 2010 (The Blacker issue) has been sent to members, and features Conservation news (Mokihinui dam, Canterbury Water Conservation Orders) (Tony Ward-Holmes), Hurunui (Polly Miller), Rock snot is not the only pest to look out for in our rivers (ARC), Your contributions, Releases and Events. Read more in NZ Canoeing 10.1 (PDF, 7.7Mb).
In the wake of the sacking of Environment Canterbury (ECAN) councillors and the dissolution of the Water Conservation Order for the Hurunui River Whitewater NZ has joined the North Canterbury Fish and Game Council, Forest and Bird and the Water Rights Trust to formally request that a moratorium be placed on water permits allowing the taking, use, damming and diverting of the Hurunui River. In particular, this would effectively place the Hurunui Water Project application to dam the Hurunui River and take water on hold.